“I think the energy that Rock n Roll has is very unique and it could never die, that’s why a lot of young people fell in love with it even nowadays.”

Lovesick: Rockin’ Country Roll

Lovesick is an Italian based band formed of Paolo Roberto Pianezza, Francesca Alinovi and Alessandro Cosentino. They are multi-instrumentalists, whose influences are deeply rooted in the American Country, rock n’ roll and western swing music of the 40s and 50s. In addition to their vocal harmonies, Paolo plays electric and acoustic guitar, as well as lap steel, resonator and Dobro guitar. Francesca plays double bass with the addition of a brush pad, a percussion built into the double bass to keep the rhythm with a drum brush. Alessandro plays fiddle and drums. Their live shows are greeted with an affection and warmth that is fully expressed by the sold out signs at every stage of the band’s recent tour that has touched the clubs of large Italian cities. Lovesick’s last album ‘Remember My Name’ (2024) recorded in Los Angeles, produced & mixed by Fabrizio “Fab” Grossi & mastered by Gavin Lurssen.

(Lovesick: Paolo Roberto Pianezza, Francesca Alinovi and Alessandro Cosentino / Photo by  Lorenzo Menini)

Recently they got back from a 20 shows tour in the US, it was the first US tour and they got an incredible feedback from the audience with a lot tickets sold. Lovesick have played as opening act for Ben Harper, JD McPherson, Zucchero. Toquiño and Edoardo Bennato and they have played big festivals all around Europe, alongside the likes of The Offspring, Social Distortion, Walter Trout, Fu Manchu, Secondo Casadei Orchestra and Ten Years After. They received the nomination for the Ameripolitan Music Awards 2024 in Austin, Texas in the Western Swing band category, and participated in the Nomination during the Austin City Limits festival in February 2024.

Interview by Michael Limnios                    Special Thanks: Lorenz Zadro / AZ Press

How has the Rock n’ Roll Counterculture influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most? 

Paolo: What hooked me about Rock n Roll was the energy, and for me was a big deal ‘cause a was a dancer, I danced Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie. So for me Rock n Roll was a way to express myself both as a player and a dancer. I definetly remember the movie Back to the future and the Rock n roll scene at the ball. But I think mainly the passion that my dad had for music when I was a kid was important. Music was fun music was easy and it was pure emotion. Something to enjoy loud in the car and get excited about.

Francesca: I have to admit that before rock and roll for me there was punk and then blues music. Rock and roll for me is something that is in the middle of these two great worlds. It is a mix of transgression, sweetness, melodies and sensuality all together. It influenced me and influences me still today, it is not just a genre of music but a lifestyle. It is a visceral thing, it is an attitude, so it ends up coloring everything you do, even in music obviously.

How do you describe band’s sound, music philosophy and songbook? What is the story behind “Lovesick” name?

Paolo: Well our project started when I got back from a long trip the the States and I wanted to study artists like Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Hank Williams, but also Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and many others. I just asked Francesca, would you like to study with me? Then we busked in the streets of Bologna, then we played some pubs and the story goes on and on. Our philosophy is to have fun with the music we’re doing otherwise we won’t do it. The name Lovesick came from the song sang by Hank Williams Lovesick Blues, I love the word Lovesick and I thought it was a great name.

“I think that I need to preserve this music and I think is important for me as for many people that I’ve known in different part of the world.” (Lovesick is an Italian based band formed of Paolo Roberto Pianezza, Francesca Alinovi and Alessandro Cosentino / Photo by Lorenzo Menini)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Francesca: There are many memories, both good and bad. I never forget open big stages before great artists as Ben Harper, Zucchero, Tommy Emmanuel, Toquinho, Rival Sons, Jd McPherson or doing jam sessions and busking in New Orleans and Nashville with a lot of musicians sharing original songs or stages.

Why do you think that Rock n’ Roll music continues to generate such a devoted following, in Italy?

Paolo: I think the energy that Rock n Roll has is very unique and it could never die, that’s why a lot of young people fell in love with it even nowadays.

Francesca: Here in Italy there was a great rockabilly scene in the 80’s and some of that scene is still alive, maybe older but passionate, lovesick are just the new generation from them.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Paolo: Well I think the lack of attention is a big deal, and now you have to do much more than just play good stuff. I mean putting a good show was important also in the past by all the social media etc. puts a lot of pressure on musicians and basically on everybody. My fear is that nothing would surprise anybody. That people can’t understand how hard it is to learn a instrument and how important it is in people lives. Attention is a very important thing and we’re loosing it.

Francesca: I really miss the underground bands, underground club especially here in Italy. It’s quite hard have an underground scene of any tipe of music cause most of the venues are closed and people are less interesting to see live music if it’s not in a theatre or a stadium or big arena.

If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

Paolo: I think I would change the time we’re staying on social media per day. We have so many inputs that we don’t get bored anymore, and that’s a very creative thing.

Francesca: I would like to change it here incoming of the money that the streaming platform give to musician.

”Our philosophy is to have fun with the music we’re doing otherwise we won’t do it. The name Lovesick came from the song sang by Hank Williams Lovesick Blues” (Lovesick are deeply rooted in the American Country, rock n’ roll and western swing music / Photo by Lorenzo Menini)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Paolo: I would say discipline, I mean I don’t feel like I have a lot of it, but If I force myself into discipline I get a lot of results that I’m proud of. Like if I write everyday after a month, I’ll have something in my hands.

What does to be a female artist in a Man’s World as James Brown says? What is the status of women in music?

Francesca: Be a female artist now is better than in the past, but I’m not satisfied at 100%. I’ve studied in many musical academies, working with different bands and musicians, sometimes is very hard cause you have to proof your value every time. Sometimes man have prejudice for a female musician or sometimes they appreciate cause she can be a “good point” for the promotion of the band. I think now women still not have the same status that men have, not only in the music business but in general. But I love to think that we know our power and we don’t have to fight, but to be truly ourselves and show our female inner power that means showing generosity, hospitality, equality and sharing in our behavior.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread Rock n’ Roll music? What is the role of music in today’s society?

Paolo: I think it’s important ‘cause it’s so cool, It’s a great genera, full of energy capable of creating so much enthusiasm in people. It must be preserved. Music is everywhere and it’s underappreciated sometimes. I think it’s rare that someone listen to a record not doing other things and that’s a pity. I don’t listen just music for the most part, but sometimes it’s great to stop and just listen. Also it’s so easy to make with a computer today that makes playing an instrument something that people fatigue to understand, that’s a little sad. Thankfully at concerts we found so many people enthusiasts about what we do that give us a lot of hope, I’m very glad about that. It gives me a lot of energy.

Francesca: I think that I need to preserve this music and I think is important for me as for many people that I’ve known in different part of the world. Bring this music everywhere makes people joyful and happy; it’s a dance music and It brings together lots of people of different generations to have fun, that’s something that I like. The role of the music in today’s society is quite different from the past. Now everyone can listen music for free, mostly online and it’s hard for musicians make living without frequent tour and shows. So my hope is that something will change soon in this particular but magical world.

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(Lovesick: Paolo Roberto Pianezza, Francesca Alinovi and Alessandro Cosentino / Photo by Lorenzo Menini)